Happy ending for Talking Books service funding bid

A regional construction firm has created a happy ending by gifting £1,000 to the RNIB’s Talking Books Service in Exeter.

Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1,000 from its Community Champions fund to the service which is used by 1,200 people in Devon alone and more than 40,000 nationally.

The RNIB’s George Hinton explained: “RNIB Talking Books ensure that the visually impaired community never lose the ability to immerse themselves in a good book.

“One client, Emily, has enjoyed the service since she was nine. She had been left feeling isolated dis-heartened and lacking confidence after being left to read picture books. The issue was that she couldn’t see the text, not that she was incapable of understanding it.

“Emily now says, ‘Talking books are a window in to the world of sight, the way I learned about myself and the world around me. Talking Books have given me a voice, a choice and a future.’

“We believe everyone should experience the joy of reading and are pleased that Persimmon Homes South West has been able to support us with the donation.

Nina Hester, sales director for Persimmon Homes South West, said: “There is nothing better than losing yourself with the characters and plot of your favourite book and we are delighted to be able to support the Talking Books Service. Hopefully we will help people enjoy some real page-turners and open up a whole new world for them too.”

She added: “As a company we have enjoyed huge success over the last few years, and it’s great to be able to give something back to the communities in which we are working.

“Our Community Champions campaign is still running, and we’d welcome more applications via our website, www.persimmonhomes.com/charity”

Each month the builder donates up to £2,000 to community groups across the south west.

This also happens across Persimmon’s other 29 operating areas, meaning up to £60,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £720,000 a year, and more than £2million since the scheme started back in 2015.